The pretty market town is famous for many things, including being the home of former Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith
Christopher Sharp visited Moreton-in-Marsh(Image: Christopher Sharp)
A pretty market town home to an iconic TV judge blew me away – not least because of its high street. Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds clearly attracts a remarkable number of visitors, judging by the sheer volume of eateries lining its streets.
A visit to the town’s high street reveals an almost unbroken row of bakeries, cafés, pubs, and artisan bistros – quite the sight for a town with a population of just over 5,000 residents (5,015 according to the 2021 Census).
Philip, 53, a cellarman at the local brewery, reflected on the changes: “It’s more touristy stuff. You don’t get so much. The old tour shops gone, the old card’s shop gone. Some of the shops have disappeared, definitely got more touristy. It’s got pluses and negatives. Got a supermarket and the market’s still here.”
When asked whether he ever crosses paths with the town’s most celebrated resident – former Great British Bake Off star Prue Leith – Philip was blunt: “I don’t.”
It seemed only fitting to pen this piece from within The Bell Inn. This much-loved establishment was once frequented by J.R.R. Tolkien himself, reportedly inspiring The Prancing Pony Inn featured in The Lord of the Rings.
We won’t Tolkien the micky (apologies…) and claim any resemblance to that literary giant, but there are certainly far worse spots to settle in than a pub crowned winner of The Pub of the Year in the North Cotswold Campaign for Real Ale Pub of the Year competition, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Inside, the atmosphere is wonderfully unpretentious – a lengthy rope allows dogs to wander freely, locals chat about everyday matters, and a map of Middle Earth adorns the wall.
The walls are adorned with vintage cameras, motorsport posters advertising motor oil, and numerous plug sockets for customers to charge their laptops and other devices.
According to two staff members I chatted to, regulations stipulate that no single pub can claim victory two years running, meaning the Bell may miss out on silverware this year.
Nevertheless, the establishment, which I selected after Google reviews highlighted its affordability, delivered a peppermint tea alongside fish and chips for a reasonable £12.50.
This followed a £3.90 cappuccino from Grouch Coffee, a nine-year-old enterprise near the local train station that began life serving coffee from the rear of a Piaggio.
Fresh from a 100-mile journey in my cherished MINI, and despite my reservations about Allpress beans, it was unmistakably a vital fixture in the community.
The proprietor and staff engaged warmly with families, while comedy posters and tea towels were scattered throughout the tastefully furnished cafe; a cafe situated in a town brimming with spring sunshine.
Emerging from New Road onto the fittingly named High Street, a bustling market was trading trinkets, carpets, fruit, vegetables, and antiques. Venture past the market, beneath which lies a sizeable car park, and you’ll find yourself facing an extensive row of shops, seemingly positioned every six feet or so.
Most of them, as Phil mentioned above, are coffee shops and cafes. Choosing where to grab a bite proved tricky, but if anyone’s concerned about the decline of the high street, Moreton’s appears to be thriving – particularly with a large Co-Op and Tesco Express nestled amongst the independent coffee shops and pubs.
Was it attractive? Certainly in the surprisingly mild spring sunshine, it felt like somewhere you could do more than simply pass through. It had the feel of a town worth pausing at during a long journey – a worthwhile and peaceful pit stop.
Regarding the former Bake Off judge, I’d also enquired at Grouch whether Prue was frequently spotted, and the response was no, not particularly; though perhaps she travels through on her way to the station to catch the 1h 31m £32 15:54 service to London Paddington for an evening out.
Prue has opted to make her home here, in a property she constructed with her husband John Playfair, and it seems to be an excellent town. The key question, though, remains: ‘Should I visit?’.
Absolutely. It would be a pru-dent choice.